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Kernel Architect Jobs (NOW HIRING)

quadric, Inc

AI Kernel Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$110K - $270K/yr

Quadric has created an innovative general purpose neural processing unit (GPNPU) architecture ... Role The AI Kernel Engineer in Quadric plays the key role to enable a large number of AI kernels ...

Aptiv

Software Architect - Systems

Deep knowledge of Linux kernel and user space architecture * Strong experience with embedded systems and real-time systems * Proficiency in C/C++ and systems programming * Knowledge of software ...

quadric, Inc

AI Kernel Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$110K - $270K/yr

Quadric has created an innovative general purpose neural processing unit (GPNPU) architecture ... Role The AI Kernel Engineer in Quadric plays the key role to enable a large number of AI kernels ...

Aptiv PLC

Software Architect - Systems

Deep knowledge of Linux kernel and user space architecture * Strong experience with embedded systems and real-time systems * Proficiency in C/C++ and systems programming * Knowledge of software ...

quadric, Inc

AI Kernel Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$110K - $270K/yr

Quadric has created an innovative general purpose neural processing unit (GPNPU) architecture ... Role The AI Kernel Engineer in Quadric plays the key role to enable a large number of AI kernels ...

NVIDIA Corporation

$250/hr

## Senior Architect, Simulation Kernel ModellingApplylocations: US, CA, Santa Claratime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: JR2017737Are you passionate about coding, architecture ...

Jobgether

Lead architecture, implementation, and ongoing delivery initiatives across kernel performance, correctness, security, packaging, and large-scale distribution. * Drive technical engagements with ...

Nightwing

Windows Kernel Developer

Sterling, VA · On-site

... architecture and device drivers • Experience with system performance optimization and root-cause analysis • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, technically complex environment Company

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How much do kernel architect jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for kernel architect in the United States is $70.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68.75 and $72.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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Systems & Kernel Software Engineer, SEAR

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Apple
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Appleexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 684 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

The SPEAR Systems & Kernel team in Apple's Security Engineering & Architecture organization is hiring a collaborative systems engineer with a drive to improve the security of end user devices. We take on software engineering projects to make progress on Apple's most pressing security challenges, anywhere in the lower layers of the stack: bootloaders, drivers, firmware, and the kernel.
Our goal is to eliminate whole classes of software vulnerabilities, securing our systems against even the most advanced and well-resourced adversaries. We've done wholesale rewrites of codebases into memory safe languages, deployed static and dynamic analysis to prevent bugs, and undertaken bespoke rearchitecture of critical codebases. We continue to refine our approach to best protect our users against rapidly evolving threats.
Description
As a Systems & Kernel Software Engineer in SPEAR, you will partner with teams across the lower layers of the software stack to design security defenses that meaningfully improve the security of Apple devices. Working in a small team of SPEAR engineers, you will collaborate on a design that upholds a high security standard without compromising on system performance or user experience.
Then, you will go hands-on. You and your team will ramp up on the partner team's codebase and implement the design.
A day on the job might involve:
- Designing the hardening approach for a given codebase, from surgical adoptions of memory safety technologies, to mitigation deployment, to broad refactors that reorient key system components.
- Ramping quickly on unfamiliar codebases and writing production-quality low-level code in C, C++, or Swift.
- Balancing security goals against the realities of working on code that ships to hundreds of millions of devices: performance, memory footprint, compatibility, and reliability.
- Testing thoroughly, debugging carefully, and partnering with QA on end-to-end validation.
- Using modern tooling, including LLMs, where it helps us move faster, while applying the systems and security depth needed to evaluate what those tools produce.
- Creating the documentation and training materials the partner team needs to maintain and build on the changes.
Minimum Qualifications
BS in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Working knowledge of C and expertise in one or more systems programming languages (C, C++, Rust, Zig, or Swift).
Experience writing low-level software, such as kernels, drivers, firmware, bootloaders, hypervisors, or runtimes.
Understanding of how low-level code is compiled to machine code and interacts with hardware.
Experience with, or an interest in, software security.
Strong written and verbal communication.
Preferred Qualifications
Understanding of the security properties of common systems languages.
Understanding of common vulnerability exploitation and mitigation techniques.
Experience designing, implementing, or evaluating software security mitigations.
Deep expertise in C programming.
Experience using LLMs to accelerate security engineering.
Experience with compiler security features, static analysis, or fuzzing.
Contributions to open-source systems or security projects.

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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